Wire-reel.



P. L. JOHNSON.

WIRE REEL.

APPLIGATION rum) JUNE n, 1908 904, 1 3 1 Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

I I J a W W atbonup PORTER L. JOHNSON, OF HEREFORD, TEXAS.

WIRE-REEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1'7, 1908.

Application filed. June 11, 1908. Serial No. 438,002.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ponrnn L. JoI-msoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at l lcreford, in the county of Deaf Smith and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful lVirc-ltecl, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to reels for holding coils of wire during the operation of stringing wire in the construction of wire fences and telegraph, telephone, and electric light wires and has especial reference to reels of this kind which are adjustable to accommodate different sized coils of wire.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved reel for holding coils of wire, which can be adjusted to receive a coil of wire, and which can be contracted or expanded to suit the diameter of different sized coils of wire.

The accompanying drawing shows in perspective a wire holding reel constructed in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reel which is preferably constructed of metal is formed with the arms 1 radiating from the central portion 2 of the reel and each formed with the inner flat portion 3, and the outer flat end portion 4, formed by twisting the arms 1 at 5, and being in a p an at a right angle to the inner portion 3. The reel is pivotally mounted to revolve on a suitable base, as here shown consisting of radial wooden arms 6 radiating from the center of the base on which are located circular friction plates 7 on which rest the central portion 2 of the reel which is pivoted to turn on a pivot pin 8 projecting from the center of the base through plates 7, and through the center portion 2 of the reel and held in place by a nut 9 on the end of pin 8.

Slidably mounted on the outer portions 4 of each arm 1, are U-shaped yokes 10 in the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted by pins 11, the pairs of arms 12 with the laterally outwardly extending projections 13 in alinement with the outer portions 4 of arms 1 and forming with arms 12 retaining hooks for a coil of wire. The pairs of arms 12 diametrically opposite each other are connected by bars consistin of pairs of bars or rods 14, pivotally hinge at their outer ends by means of pins 14 to the upper portion of arms 12, and overlapping each other at their inner ends, one pair of overlapping bars 14 extending above and across the other. The

pairs of bars 14 are held in overlapping position by a removable pivot pin or screw 15, extending through one of a series of alining holes 16 in the overlapping portions of bars 14, and by means of their ends bent to form hooks 17 which hook over the adjacent bars 14.

\Vhen a coil of wire is mounted on the reel it extends between the outer end portions 4 of arms 1, and the lateral projections 13 of arms 12. To mount a coil of wire on the reel. it is adjusted therefor b buckling up or collapsing the pairs of overlapping connecting bars 14, the hooks 17 being disengaged, and the arms 12 and projections 13 being swung inwards, the several parts being moved inwards to the position shown in dotted lines in drawing. In this position a coil of wire may be passed over the projections 13. The connecting bars 14 being then pushed back to their normal position shown in drawing, the coil of wire will be in position for use between the end portions 4 of arms 1 and the projections 13. If it is desired to hold a coil of wire tight the reel may be expanded by removing the pin 15 in each pair of connecting rods 14 and sliding the latter outwards which moves the arms 12 outwards thereby holding the coil of wire tight, the pin 15 being secured in one of the pair of alining holes 16. By means of the yokes 1O slidable on the ends 4 of arms 1, the arms 12 may be moved outwards or inwards to adjusted position when the pairs of connecting bars 14 are slid apart or drawn together. By means of this construction the reel may be adjusted to coils of different sizes, being expanded as just described, or contracted by adjustably shortening the overlapping connecting bars which brings the pairs of arms 12 to a position nearer to each other. By having the arms 12 pivoted to the yokes 10 they may be swung to an inwardly inclined position as shown in dotted lines in drawing which permits a coil of wire to be passed over the projections 13.

By means of the construction hereinbefore described a reel for wire coils is rovided having pairs of arms pivotally hinged to members slidably mounted on radial rotatable arms, said airs or arms being connected by adjusta le, extensible bars hinged at their outer ends to said pairs of arms. While a specific construction of parts has been set forth, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, as the details of construction may be varied without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. A reel of the character described, consisting of radial arms rotatable upon a base; coil retaining arms slidably mounted on said radial arms; and slidable, extensible bars connecting pairs of said coil retaining arms.

2. A reel of the character described, consisting of radial arms rotatable on a base; coil retaining arms slid-ably mounted on said radial arms; and slidable extensible bars formed of bars overlapping and adjustably connected together at their inner ends, and connected to pairs of the coil retaining arms at their outer ends.

3. A reel of the character described, con sisting of radial arms rotatably mounted on a base; coil retaining arms hinged to slidable supports mounted on said radial arms; and collapsible bars connecting said coil retaining arms, and hinged at their outer ends to pairs of said retaining arms.

4. A reel of the character described, consisting of radial arms rotatably mounted on a base; supporting members slidably mounted on said arms; coil retaining arms hinged to said slidable supports; and bars connecting pairs of said coil retaining arms; said bars consisting of bars hinged together at their inner portions, and hinged to the coil retaining arms at their outer ends.

5. A reel of the character described, con sisting of radial arms pivotally mounted on a base; supporting members slidably mounted on said arms; coil retaining arms hinged to said slidable supports; and bars connecting pairs of said coil retaining arms; said bars consisting of pairs of bars hinged at their outer end to said coil retaining arms, and having overlapping hooked ends hinged to gether.

6. A reel of the clmracter described, consisting of radial arms pivotally mounted on a base; hinged coil retaining arms slidably mounted on the radial arms; and collapsible, extensible, slidable bars connecting pairs 01 said hinged arms, and having their outer ends hinged thereto.

7. A reel of the character descril'md,-co1r sisting of a fran'ie pivoted on a base, and formed with flat radial arms twisted to provide flat end portions; yolres slid-ably mounted on said flat end portions; coil retaining arms with lateral projections hinged to said yokes; bars connecting pairs of said coil retaining arms, and consistin of pairs of bars hinged at their outer ends to said coil retaining arms, and having overlzqaping inner end portions with hooked ends engaging each other; said overlapping portions being hinged together and adjustably slidable upon each other.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

PORTER L. JOHNSON.

\Vitnesses D. PIN KSTON, S. J. DODSON. 

